Hartland High School's Football Coach Resigns
Marcus Dukes says he's leaving to spend more time with his family after 4-5 season.
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Marcus Dukes — Hartland High School's head football coach who once led the Eagles on their deepest playoff run in school history — has resigned, the Hartland Athletic Department announced Monday.
Dukes, a special education and history teacher at Hartland High School, said he stepped down from coaching to spend more time with his wife and two daughters, 4 and 7. He said coaching in addition to teaching was made even more difficult with 90 minutes of driving daily already from his home in Livonia.
"That's one of the biggest hurdles," said Dukes, referring to the commute. "Sometimes you have to make tough choices."
Hartland Athletic Director Jason Reck said Dukes' strength is character, so the decision from the former Howell High School and Alma College football player fits who he is.
"It takes a lot to give up something you love for the betterment of a family," Reck said. "He didn't do (coaching) for ego. I've never met a coach that was more selfless."
Reck also said Dukes would have been on the sidelines next year despite rancor from some fans who called for his ouster in comments on Hartland Patch after the Eagles (4-5) were eliminated from any chance making the playoffs. Others supported his performance.
"We were very much committed to Coach Dukes as our football coach," Reck said. "He's a high-character person and a very good football coach. … We thought the coach would be here a long time."
Dukes also denied the criticism played a factor in his decision to quit.
Reck said there's no timetable yet on filling the job.
Dukes was 29-29 in his six years as coach. He had two playoff-qualifying teams in 2010 and 2008. After a surprising playoff run, the 2010 team lost in the first round to Holt 41-16 while his 2008 team went 9-3 including winning a district title 34-23 over Howell before before losing 24-8 to Rockford in the regional final, according to HartlandFootball.com.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dukes said there were ups and downs but added the program was making strides. He said this year many of the games were close.
"They ended on a high note (with two wins) and hopefully they can carry it on next season," he said.
He said this season was enjoyable working with the players grow in knowledge and character throughout the season, adding that's more important than wins and losses.
"Did you do things the right way on character, class? … I'd like to think we did those things," he said.
Annie
7:18 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thank you Coach Dukes for the years of dedication to Hartland football.
Shawn
9:41 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Coach, this is unfortunate, I hope the idiots that do not know the first thing about coaching had anything to do with this.
You and your family did more for this program then all the previous coaching staffs combined.
I would like to see what you could have done with the now 8th grade class comming up, by far the best class to come out of our youth progam.
Good luck and enjoy your free time, you have earned it.
Hartland Football fan forever.
Jennifer
6:36 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Is it just me or does hartlandfootballpride just want to listen to themself talk...
dan rice
7:24 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
was just thinking that myself!
Annie
7:27 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Kind of reads like a resume...
Senior Football Player
9:06 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Coach Dukes.
It was an Honer to play under you, you have taught me everything i know about this game i could not appreciate it more us seniors will always be glad to be the last class you have stuck around for thank you for all the memories, and good luck with every thing you do for the rest of your life. I wish i could see what you could have done with next years team but i understand every thing. thanks for the memories from me to the rest of the seniors. thank you
Shawn
7:47 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Well put young man.
If you want to know what kind of coach he was talk to his players, thats what matters, my son played for him and though he did not see the field much, he respected the man for putting countless hours in, not for money not for glory, for love of the game and he loved his players. Those who did not support him, let it be, you got what you wanted and soon enough you'll have a new whiping boy.
We tend to take people like this for granted
Dan the Man
8:04 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Thank you Coach for your dedication to our players and program.
joe
10:00 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Playing time, play calling, subsitutions, come on! Never understood why parents can't "stay out of it"? Comments like "hey, my son was a star in the youth program! he should be playing!" help no one. Including their son. I have tried to teach my son to just focus on what he can change (his skills, getting better, his responsibilities of his position), and not waste energy about what is out of his control (play calling, practices, playing time). If he had questions or concerns about his PT, then I always encouraged him to speak with the coaches. As young men, they need to learn to take control of their own destiny...not mommy or daddy. I know this was part of Coach Dukes philosophy.
I spoke with parents of a young man on the varsity and they told me even though their son would not "see the field" and he knew it, he was still working hard in practice and enjoying the experience with his friends. Let's spread this attitude around!
For those parents coming up from youth football...youth football ends as they enter HS. If your son is good, he will "earn" his playing time, not based on what he did in HAYAA, but based on what he does "today".
Now we have a group of very good, experienced seniors, who will have to prove themselves in a new system...with new coaches and philosophy. However, I know these boys and they will use this experience as motivation and as a way to grow in character. Good luck Coach!
Mommies and Daddies, be careful what you wish for!
Senior Football Player
7:13 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
For you to say you have respect for coach dukes is a lie. i do not agree with that at all players that come up threw hayaa are not the same in high school. I hope you soon figure that out. parents who complain about there kids not getting in the game do not understand the point of competition. If coach was just to put in your kid because of a few parents ripping on him in the patch. you would now be trying to get the man fired for not getting enough wins..... the kids who don't play don't do anything at practice. Also for you to say coach has not produced a winning system? then you don't know much about sports. we all seem to forget about coach dukes taking Hartland in to the farthest playoff run in school history.. but yet he doesn't have a winning system? i hope you soon come to realize and all the other parents this game is about the team not about the parents in the stands. coach dukes knew what he was doing. ask any person who has played under him. thank you coach dukes for everything.
Laurie
7:22 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Coach Dukes, It is great that you want to spend more time with your family. Your family needs you, our kids grow up way too fast.
Hartland boys love you as a Coach, if they didn't they wouldn't be playing! My son is a Varsity football player, he respects Coach Dukes and understands what he needs to do to be a better player.
Good Luck Coach Dukes
Hartland Football Pride have you ever asked you son if he enjoys being on the team?
Brett
8:13 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Coach Dukes, although I never had the chance to play for you, I believe you were the greatest coach Hartland High School has ever had! Being a underclassman I always admired when you would see me in the weight room and praize me for being there and knowing my name. I thank you for taking so much pride and believing in me to do better. When you first said "Finish every play" at training camp I took that to heart and it has helped me become a better all around athlete. Coach Dukes i think i speak for every under classman here when i say you would have been the best coach to play for! Hartland will never forget you and the great legacy you left! I wish you the bestest luck, and I will always have the saying "Finsh on every play" in my head. THANK YOU!